Corporeality in Literature and Literary Theory

Corporeality: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “corporeality” originates from the Latin word “corpus,” meaning body. It is a linguistic amalgamation of “corpus” and the suffix “-ity,” denoting a state or quality. The etymology underscores its connection to the physical form, emphasizing the tangible and material aspects of existence.

Meanings and Concept:

• Physical Existence: Corporeality primarily refers to the state of having a physical body. It encapsulates the tangible, material nature of being, highlighting the physical presence and form of living entities.
• Materiality and Substance: Beyond the biological aspect, corporeality extends to the material substance of things. It encompasses the tangible elements that constitute the physical world, emphasizing the reality and solidity of objects.
• Embodiment of Ideas: In a broader context, corporeality can also be metaphorically applied to the embodiment of abstract concepts or ideas in tangible forms. It suggests a manifestation of intangible thoughts or principles into concrete, observable entities.
• Philosophical Considerations: The concept of corporeality is intertwined with various philosophical discussions, exploring questions about the nature of reality, existence, and the relationship between the mind and the body. Philosophers delve into the implications of corporeality in understanding human experience and consciousness.
• Artistic Expression: Within the realm of art and literature, corporeality plays a crucial role in representing the physicality of characters, scenes, and emotions. Artists often employ vivid descriptions and sensory details to evoke a sense of corporeal presence in their creations.

In essence, corporeality encompasses the tangible, material aspects of existence, extending from the physical body to the broader realm of material substance, abstract embodiment, philosophical contemplation, and artistic representation.

Corporeality: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Corporeality, in theoretical terms, refers to the state or quality of having a physical body or material existence. It encompasses the tangible nature of entities and extends beyond mere biological considerations, encompassing the material substance of the physical world. The concept is often explored in philosophy, art, and literature, contributing to discussions on the nature of reality, the mind-body relationship, and the representation of physicality in various forms of expression.

Corporeality: Theorists, Works and Arguments

1. Maurice Merleau-Ponty:
   • Work: “Phenomenology of Perception”
   • Argument: Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenological exploration delves into the embodied nature of perception, asserting that our understanding of the world is inherently linked to our bodily experiences. He emphasizes the lived body as the primary mode of engagement with the world, challenging dualistic perspectives that separate mind and body.
2. Michel Foucault:
   • Work: “The Birth of the Clinic”
   • Argument: Foucault’s analysis of the medical gaze and the institutionalization of the body in healthcare institutions contributes to the discourse on corporeality. He explores how societal norms shape perceptions of the body, influencing power structures and modes of control.
3. Susan Bordo:
   • Work: “Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body”
   • Argument: Bordo’s feminist perspective examines the cultural construction of the body, particularly focusing on how gender norms and societal expectations shape perceptions of corporeality. She explores issues such as body image, eating disorders, and the commodification of the female body.
4. Julia Kristeva:
   • Work: “Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection”
   • Argument: Kristeva’s concept of abjection explores the boundaries between self and other, emphasizing the corporeal aspects of disgust and horror. Her work delves into the ways in which the body, as a site of both fascination and repulsion, influences our understanding of identity and societal norms.
5. Edward S. Casey:
   • Work: “Getting Back into Place: Toward a Renewed Understanding of the Place-World”
   • Argument: Casey’s phenomenological approach examines the body’s role in our perception of place and space. He argues that corporeality is fundamental to our sense of being in the world and explores how the body is intertwined with our spatial experiences.

These theorists and their works contribute significantly to the theoretical exploration of corporeality, offering diverse perspectives on the embodied nature of human existence and its cultural, social, and philosophical implications.

Corporeality: Major Characteristics

1. Physicality:
   • Corporeality fundamentally involves the tangible and physical aspects of existence, emphasizing the reality of the body and its material presence in the world.
2. Embodiment:
   • The concept involves the idea of embodiment, suggesting that consciousness and identity are closely tied to the physical body. It explores how our experiences and understanding of the world are shaped by our embodied existence.
3. Sensory Perception:
   • Corporeality is intricately linked with sensory perception. The body, through its senses, becomes the medium through which individuals engage with and interpret their surroundings.
4. Subjectivity and Identity:
   • The body plays a crucial role in the formation of subjectivity and identity. Corporeality influences how individuals perceive themselves and how they are perceived by others, contributing to notions of selfhood.
5. Cultural and Social Constructs:
   • Corporeality is socially and culturally constructed, with societal norms shaping perceptions of the body. Cultural ideals, beauty standards, and gender norms influence how bodies are understood and represented.
6. Expressiveness:
   • Bodies serve as a means of expression. Through gestures, movements, and physical presence, individuals communicate emotions, intentions, and cultural meanings, contributing to the expressive nature of corporeality.
7. Temporal Dimension:
   • Corporeality has a temporal dimension, as bodies undergo changes over time. Aging, growth, and experiences leave imprints on the body, shaping one’s relationship with corporeal existence.
8. Philosophical Exploration:
   • Philosophically, corporeality is often explored in discussions about the mind-body relationship. It raises questions about the nature of consciousness, the self, and the interplay between mental and physical aspects of being.
9. Symbolic Representation:
   • Beyond its physicality, the body serves as a symbol with cultural, religious, and artistic significance. Different cultures attribute symbolic meanings to certain body parts, gestures, and bodily experiences.
10. Intersectionality:
    • Corporeality intersects with various aspects of identity, including gender, race, and disability. The embodied experience is shaped by these intersecting factors, influencing how individuals navigate the world and are perceived within societal contexts.

Corporeality: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Corporeality
Phenomenology	Corporeality is central to phenomenological theories, particularly in Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s work. It emphasizes the embodied experience and how perception, consciousness, and meaning-making are rooted in the body’s interactions with the world. Phenomenology explores the lived body as a source of knowledge and understanding in literature.
Feminist Criticism	Corporeality is crucial in feminist literary criticism, examining how gendered bodies are represented and how societal expectations regarding the female body impact narratives. Scholars like Susan Bordo explore issues of body image, objectification, and the cultural construction of femininity, highlighting the significance of corporeal experiences in literature.
Postcolonialism	In postcolonial literary theories, corporeality is relevant in the context of colonial and postcolonial body politics. It explores how colonial powers often imposed their views on the colonized bodies, and postcolonial literature reflects the struggles and reassertions of agency in reclaiming corporeal identities and narratives.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Corporeality plays a role in psychoanalytic literary theories, especially in Sigmund Freud’s exploration of the body in relation to the unconscious mind. Themes of desire, repression, and the body as a site for the manifestation of psychological conflicts are common in psychoanalytic readings of literature.
Postmodernism	Postmodern literary theories often engage with corporeality by challenging traditional notions of identity and the stability of the body. The fragmented, deconstructed, or reconstructed body in postmodern literature reflects a broader skepticism toward fixed meanings and explores the fluidity of corporeal representations.
Cultural Studies	Corporeality is integral to cultural studies in literature, where it intersects with issues of race, ethnicity, and cultural identity. It examines how bodies are represented and how cultural norms influence the portrayal of bodies in literary texts, reflecting broader societal attitudes and power dynamics.
Ecocriticism	In ecocritical perspectives, corporeality extends beyond the human body to include the ecological body. It explores the interconnectedness of human bodies with the natural world, emphasizing the impact of environmental factors on corporeal experiences in literature and the implications for ecological sustainability.

These literary theories demonstrate the multifaceted role of corporeality in analyzing and interpreting literature. They highlight how the body, as a complex and culturally situated entity, serves as a crucial lens through which literary texts can be understood and interpreted.

Corporeality: Application in Critiques

1. Poem: “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot:
   • Corporeal Analysis: In Eliot’s modernist poem, corporeality is embedded in the internal struggles of the protagonist, Prufrock. The poem explores the disconnect between Prufrock’s internal desires and his hesitant, physical actions. The imagery of aging and decay reflects the corporeal anxieties about time and mortality, while the body becomes a site of tension and self-consciousness in Prufrock’s introspective monologue.
2. Play: “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams:
   • Corporeal Analysis: Corporeality is a prominent theme in Williams’ play, particularly through the character of Blanche DuBois. Blanche’s preoccupation with her fading beauty and attempts to conceal the realities of her aging body underscore the societal expectations placed on women. The play explores the impact of corporeal experiences on identity, mental health, and societal perceptions, making it a poignant critique of gendered bodies.
3. Short Story: “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman:
   • Corporeal Analysis: Corporeality is a central focus in Gilman’s story, where the narrator’s confinement to a room becomes a metaphor for the repression of women’s bodies and minds in the 19th century. The protagonist’s deteriorating mental state is closely tied to her bodily experiences, and the yellow wallpaper becomes a symbol of her constrained corporeal existence. The story critiques the medical and societal control over women’s bodies and minds.
4. Short Story: “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka:
   • Corporeal Analysis: Kafka’s tale of Gregor Samsa waking up transformed into an insect serves as a profound exploration of corporeality. The physical metamorphosis becomes a metaphor for alienation and societal dehumanization. Gregor’s struggles with his insect body reflect the impact of corporeal changes on one’s identity, interpersonal relationships, and societal integration, offering a critique of societal expectations and the treatment of those perceived as different.

Corporeality: Relevant Terms

Term	Brief Explanation
1. Embodiment	Representation of experiences through the physical body.
2. Somatic	Pertaining to bodily experiences or sensations.
3. Carnal	Relating to physical desires, often in a sensual context.
4. Embodied	Expressing ideas through the physical form.
5. Corporeal Presence	Tangible existence of the body in a specific context.
6. Sensuous	Emphasizing the physical and sensory aspects of experiences.
7. Materiality	Quality of being physical or tangible.
8. Incarnate	Taking on a physical form.
9. Fleshy	Characterized by the soft substance of the body.
10. Bodily Integrity	Wholeness of the body; often discussed in terms of autonomy.

Corporeality: Suggested Readings

1. Bordo, Susan. Unbearable Weight: Feminism, Western Culture, and the Body. University of California Press, 1993.
2. Casey, Edward S. Getting Back into Place: Toward a Renewed Understanding of the Place-World. Indiana University Press, 1993.
3. Eliot, T.S. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Poetry Foundation, 1915.
4. Foucault, Michel. The Birth of the Clinic. Vintage Books, 1994.
5. Gilman, Charlotte Perkins. The Yellow Wallpaper. The New England Magazine, 1892.
6. Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Schocken, 1995.
7. Kristeva, Julia. Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection. Columbia University Press, 1982.
8. Merleau-Ponty, Maurice. Phenomenology of Perception. Routledge, 2012.
9. Williams, Tennessee. A Streetcar Named Desire. New Directions, 2004.